In a major breakthrough, the Bangarapet police, under the leadership of Superintendent Shivanshu Rajput, have arrested five members of a family responsible for a series of temple thefts across Kolar district and surrounding areas.
The accused have been identified as Lokesh (35), Somu (25), Venkatappa (62), Murugesh, and Muniyappa (28) — all residents of Kommenahalli village. Authorities linked them to at least 18 temple thefts, including incidents at the Anjaneyaswami Temple in Buramakanhalli and the Kaivara Yogi Narayanaswami Temple in Chikkavalgamadi.
The investigation began after a complaint was lodged by Ambubai, following multiple temple break-ins. Acting on intelligence, a police team intercepted the suspects on November 8, as they travelled on three motorcycles from Bhoodikote toward Bangarapet.
During questioning, police discovered a crowbar in their possession. When the suspects failed to explain its purpose, one of them confessed, leading to the revelation of their involvement in the temple thefts. Further investigations are underway to recover the stolen items and identify other possible connections.
